[8] The Rivian collaboration is part of Amazon's plan to convert its delivery fleet to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

[11] A prototype Amazon electric delivery van with 150-mile (240 km) range was tested on public roads in early 2021, starting in Los Angeles[12] and San Francisco.

[18] In July 2023, one year after Amazon began receiving the vans, more than 5,000 had been delivered, and the first deliveries to Germany had begun.

All of the vans are built on the same platform—basic electrical and network architecture, ECUs, and battery-pack design—as the Rivian R1 models, and use a basic single-motor e-axle drive unit.

The coil-sprung rear axle uses a track bar for lateral support, while the front suspension uses a transverse composite leaf spring.

[30] However, Rivian have announced they plan to migrate commercial vehicle batteries to a lithium iron phosphate chemistry, sized to meet a target range of 150 mi (240 km).

[38] LFP migration for the EDV was completed in the first quarter of 2023,[35] simultaneous with the switch to the single Enduro motor.

[34] To aid the driver's vision, the van is equipped with an enlarged windshield and stitched exterior cameras that are used to display a view of the entire surroundings.

[32][41] Warning noises were developed through testing in Seattle that ensured the vans would be audible to pedestrians outdoors but not people inside buildings.

[42] The EDV also is equipped with radar which along with the cameras enables advanced driver-assistance systems including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance.

[39] The rear cargo area is accessed either through an exterior roll-up door or an interior sliding door separating the cargo area from the driver's compartment;[43] input from Amazon delivery partners resulted in non-slip steps integrated into the rear bumper and handgrips to aid access.

The front of the vehicle was deliberately styled to be friendly and appealing, featuring circular headlights surrounded by semi-circular rings that act as daytime running lights or turn indicators;[7] Jason Torchinsky wrote the EDV "looks friendly and eager, like a whale who's here to help.